Campaigners fail last bid attempt to block installation of parking meters in Wirral country parks

Campaigners against the installation of car parking meters at eight Wirral country parks have failed in a last ditch attempt to block it.

The plan for car parking machines in Thurstaston, Royden, Eastham and Arrowe Parks was debated during a three-hour meeting after 21 Conservative councillors called the issue in for further scrutiny.

Parking prices were discussed having been proposed by the Labour group in a bid to raise extra cash to cope with Government cuts.

A planned £4 flat-fee to park at Thurstaston, Royden, Eastham and Arrowe Parks Country Parks was replaced earlier this year with a new proposal to charge 50p for the first hour, £1 for two hours or £2 all day following public outcry.

A planned increase of all tariffs by 50p was replaced with a 20p rise.

The changes were approved during a budget cabinet meeting on March 6.

More than 20,085 residents had signed petitions against the proposals.

During the call-in meeting campaigners heard how the figures in the council’s budget were a ‘guestimate’ amid claims that visitor numbers could drop by 30%.

Eight Labour councillors voted in favour, while five Conservatives and one Liberal Democrat voted against.

Cllr Stuart Whittingham, cabinet member for highways, said: “This council has to fill the £45m Tory Government cuts to Wirral.